Should RIM Come Out With A Slider Phone BlackBerry?

by Robb Dunewood on February 5, 2008 · 23 comments

I am not really sure why this question isn’t brought up more, however, I really want to know why you guys think, so, we are putting up a poll.

{democracy:7}

Don’t just vote… Leave a comment and tell us why you feel the way you do.

BlackBerry


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  • Nikolaus

    Though I feel I should vote no, because BlackBerrys should be above that kind of thing, I did vote yes under the condition that it is combined with an iPhone like Touch screen. At one point of another RIM will have to take on Apple head on, and that’s hard to do without a big touch screen. One of the biggest value-add of a BlackBerry (like my 8320) is the keyboard. A device with a big touch screen and slide out keyboard could be a sweet BlackBerry.

  • http://www.rimarkable.com Robb Dunewood

    I’ve been playing around with a few different “slide-out keyboard” smart phones and I have to admit that that they aren’t as bad as I believe a lot of die-hard BlackBerry users think they are.

    Trust me when I tell you that more than just a few are much more comfortable to use than the BlackBerry 8800 in my opinion.

    It just seems like, to me, that having the real estate of a full screen as well as a QWERTY keyboard is a win, win situation so long as the devices are durable and comfortable to use.

  • REV

    I think RIM should come out with a slider phone, if only to offer a wider range of choices to appeal to more consumers. Some folks may like the idea of a smaller BB (i.e., when the keyboard is hidden); some folks will prefer the current fixed keyboard setup. I don’t see any reason why RIM can’t offer both types.

  • Fletchi18

    I agree with what REV says. I said yes simply to offer a wider variety of options to users.

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/codycoggins Cody Coggins

    I chose a Blackberry 8830 after considering palm, windows mobile, iphone, flip phone qwerty (Voyager & enV), and slider phone qwerty phones. Ultimately the Blackberry’s software won me over, in spite of limited choices in form factor. But I would have preferred to have slider/flip phone choices with the Blackberry’s software. -Cody Coggins

  • http://www.rimarkable.com Robb Dunewood

    The Nos are starting to pull away, yet, no one has told us why it is a bad Idea.

  • Shredney

    Yes Yes, I love my Pearl for it’s size, and have gotten quite used to it’s keyboard, but I would definitely like a larger keyboard and screen, along with the compact carrying size of my Pearl. Of course it should have touch screen capability as well, that is a given. SK

  • jmk

    I voted yes, but I believe I speak for all of the nos by saying that BlackBerry, like certain products like Apple, is as much an emotional decision as it is practical. Afterall, there aren’t that many EnV or Voyager blogs, forums, and websites out there.

    When it’s emotional, then the attitude becomes one of “Don’t mess with that with which I have become accustomed.”

    Frankly, if RIM were to offer an additional product that in no way affected the current products, I don’t see why anyone could logically say it was a bad idea.

    Of course, it could be one guy voting over and over for no!

  • bluehorseshoe

    I voted yes only to provide more options for BB users. I’d be interested to see how BB would incorporate it. On the Pearl, it would be ideal. Full screen (touch required like Shredney mentioned) and full keyboard on the slide…wow. The small form factor would probably be the most popular of all BB devices if that came to fruition (yet functionally making it larger than the others), and I think the slide out would really only apply to the Pearl because it could take better advantage of the slide-out feature than the other models. The others are bigger, and the slide-out only making them larger, less attractive, and somewhat clumsy to use.

    Now that I’m typing this…I REALLY want them to do it on the Pearl. That would be too sweet!

  • roid

    Yes- but only so that RIM can remain competitve in the marketplace. The business user is more and more looking for a device that has multimedia capabilities for any number of reasons be they for personal or business related.

    In my company at least 75% of those carrying smartphones utilize their multimedia capabilities.

    I don’t know that the slider is the answer to this, but if a larger screen is what the marketplace wants I don’t see another way to not lose the highly usable keyboard that is critical to RIM’s core market.

  • mrb78

    sliders are known for having worse reception. It would sully the good name of the Blackberry

  • David

    Sure, why not? It’s just another design to choose from. Why not a clam shell too?
    Variety is great.

    Having said that it will only sell if it’s slim and cutting edge with no compromise on performance.

  • Steve

    I voted yes because larger touch screens seem to be the trend and variety could make sense if you are trying to expand your market. I have had both a 7100 and and 8700 in the past and have just recently purchased a Curve. I think RIM has made great strides in their handsets. I am impressed with the size, the keyboard, and the additional amenities they have added. I think they need to concentrate more on things like 3G, wifi, and a better media player.

  • CHRISGRANT(crackberry)

    1. Slide Keyboards ARE worse than you can imagine
    2. R.I.M. IS above a slide phone
    3. Touch Screens are not the greatest thing in the world (hence me returning my Iphone, HTC Touch AND Palm 700wx)

    ok, would a bigger kb be nice? of course! my pearl is so tiny for my 6’1 225lb behind, but I make do. a bigger screen would be great too, but i would not trade the BB os for a thing in the world, in fact, i contemplate throwing out my computer in favor of another carrier’s curve!

  • Linda Lukasik

    Larger screen, larger keyboard, smaller package . . . duh-uh!

  • http://www.tixx.com billy

    I say yes as long as its has EVDO device or 3G .. an iphone size screen would be nice, some of us need to read emails more than respond to them right away so a slider would be useful. it would be great for executives whom would like to be in the email loop but might be more of an email reader than a responder.

    Sling player evdo REV A and a nice leater case .,..that would be cool

    I like the Nokia E90 but at $900 im not ready to buy one just yet

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  • Masrii

    I Voted yes, because i believe that i blackberry which is slided to reveal a QWERTY keyboard, and with a big touch screen would win over the younger person. Blackberry is known for Buisness, so if u made a phone with a little less “buisness” features, alot of GB i think u can compete with the i phone.

  • ANNETTEMARIE DIMURO

    I LOVE THE FEATURES OF A BLACKBERRY BUT I LOVE THE SLIDE OUT KEYBOARD, IT’S EASIER AND MORE COMFORTABLE TO USE. I THINK THAT IT WILL BE GREAT MARRIAGE BRINGING THE TWO TOGETHER. I CAN’T WAIT, I WILL BE WAITING IN LINE.

  • Vincent

    I would love to see a BB with a 3.2 or 3.5 inch touch screen and a physical qwerty key pad that slides out. I currently own the Bold and love the phone. Since I have large hands, I don’t care musch about making it so compact. I welcome a slightly larger phone to allow more spaced out keys. If RIM developed a slider phone that was the size of the BB Bold or Tour, replacing the keyboard space with more screen,eeeeee, OMG!

    Oh, let’s not forget about adding at least, 16gigs of flash memory with 1 gig of dedicated RAM for application prowess!

    Come on RIM, it’s time you really stepped up the game. The only reason I didn’t go with the iPhone, was because it didn’t have a physical keyboard. You have to beat Apple to the punch.

    Can someone say, BB heaven?

  • ben dover

    Definitely – it’s one I’d get in a hot flash. A BB Pre w/ all the BB apps.

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